Former US President Donald Trump formally bid farewell to Elon Musk following the tech entrepreneur's exit from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) after four months of service. Trump praised Musk's contributions and expressed confidence that Musk's influence would endure despite returning focus to his private ventures, SpaceX and Tesla.
During a joint press conference, Trump highlighted Musk's impact, describing him as "terrific" and stating, "This will be his last day, but not really, because he will always be with us, helping all the way." Vice President JD Musk also commended Elon Musk's work and assured that the department's efforts would continue.
Musk's tenure at DOGE was marked by ambitious attempts to streamline government operations, including substantial cuts to jobs and the closure of agencies such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). However, the department's cost-saving claims fell short of initial promises, with independent evaluations estimating savings significantly below Musk's publicized targets.
The "move fast and break things" approach Musk brought from Silicon Valley presented challenges within the governmental structure, leading to disagreements with other officials and dissatisfaction from Musk himself. He openly expressed disappointment regarding recent federal tax and spending legislation, which he felt compromised the department's objectives.
Meanwhile, Musk’s private enterprises faced pressure, with Tesla experiencing declining sales and public protests, alongside issues at SpaceX involving rocket failures. Additionally, Musk confronted scrutiny over reports alleging extensive ketamine use during the previous year's presidential campaign, though he has asserted that any such use was medically prescribed and beneficial to his professional performance.
As Musk transitions out of government service, his brief but eventful tenure highlights the complexities of applying private-sector management tactics to federal agencies, alongside the volatile interplay between political ambitions and corporate responsibilities.
